Devolution

Through partnership we are determined to unleash our region’s full potential and in doing so raise living standards for our communities while making a full contribution to the UK economy.

Making history: A landmark £1.8 billion devolution deal

West Yorkshire is strongest when it works together to deliver for all its communities. Our partnership has grown and strengthened over more than a decade, from the Leeds City Region Leaders Board to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. In March 2020, that partnership was strengthened even further when the five councils of West Yorkshire agreed the largest ever devolution deal of its kind with the Government.

This historic and transformative £1.8 billion deal includes a Government commitment to support the development of a West Yorkshire Mass Transit System and investment from the Transforming Cities Fund. Other resources available through the deal enable the delivery of the full pipeline of West Yorkshire transport projects submitted in the region’s bid.

The creation of the Mayor of West Yorkshire was made possible through this devolution deal, which was agreed by West Yorkshire’s five council leaders and the Government in March 2020 and became law in January 2021. 

We are determined to unleash our region’s full potential and in doing so raise living standards for our communities while making a full contribution to the UK economy

The deal

The agreement, the biggest ever of its kind, includes a Government commitment to support the development of a West Yorkshire Mass Transit System and investment from the Transforming Cities Fund which, with the other resources available through the deal, will enable the delivery of the full pipeline of West Yorkshire transport projects submitted in the region’s bid.

The deal also includes a new West Yorkshire Investment Fund, money to develop plans for future housing sites and a new heritage fund.

Our devolution deal included:

  • £38m for 30 years into West Yorkshire Investment Fund with a 25%/75% capital/revenue split
  • Government commitment to work with West Yorkshire to develop a modern mass transit system
  • £317m from the Transforming Cities Fund to dramatically improve access to public transport, cycling and walking
  • Access to bus franchising powers
  • Control of the £65m annual Adult Education Budget for West Yorkshire to closer align spending on skills to the opportunities and needs in the local economy
  • £500,000 of Government funding to support master-planning in Bradford City Centre to maximise regeneration opportunities from Northern Powerhouse Rail
  • Funding for the next stage of development of the Outline Business Case for Leeds station redevelopment.
  • Government commitment to engage with the Combined Authority on priorities emerging from the Future Ready Skills Commission
  • Access to the Government’s new Brownfield Regeneration Fund to support housing growth and £3.2m to support the development of a pipeline of housing sites across West Yorkshire.
  • £200,000 funding to support the work of the Yorkshire Leaders Board

Further devolution arrangements were announced in the Spring 2024 budget.

Related information

  1. Adult Education Budget

    As part of the Landmark West Yorkshire Devolution Deal, we have taken over responsibility for the region’s £65 million annual Adult Education Budget.

  3. The success story so far...

    West Yorkshire is strongest when it works together to deliver for all its communities. Our partnership has grown and strengthened over more than a decade. Evidence of that partnership’s success is all around us.

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